Police to guard churches on Xmas
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Taking no chances on possible terrorist plots during the upcoming Christmas holiday, city police will deploy 14,000 personnel to guard churches in Jakarta on Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
Newly-appointed Jakarta Police Chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara told the press on Friday that police personnel, both uniformed and undercover, will be assigned to churches throughout the city to secure Christmas celebrations on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
"Security at churches will be tight, and we will be deploying about 30 personnel per location," said Makbul, while adding that each church should buy metal detectors for every entrance.
On Christmas eve last year, dozens of terrorist bombs exploded at a number of churches nationwide, killing at least 15 churchgoing civilians and seriously injuring 96 other innocent people. In Jakarta alone, three Christians were killed in five church blasts. None of the terrorists have been captured. It is presumed that they are still roaming freely throughout the country.
Some of the bombs were sent through the mail disguised as Christmas packages, while others were planted outside the church buildings by the suspects.
Despite the bombs last year, only a few churches in Jakarta are taking precautionary measures as they plan to rely heavily on police for security.
The Cathedral Church in Central Jakarta, for example, will not alter its scheduled mass.
"We were told that police will secure the church and its surrounding areas a few days before and after Christmas day. We are counting on the police," said Wahidi, an official at the Cathedral.
Last year, a bomb exploded outside the Cathedral. The bomb was placed under a car that was parked outside the church compound. Later police found an unexploded bomb on the west side of the church.
Church officials at Paulus Church also said they would not alter their schedule or change anything due to threats from those who oppose their religion.
"We will still have the services as usual ... just like last year," said S. Polii, an official at the church.
At the St. Anna Church in East Jakarta, however, police have been coordinating with the church regarding security measures.
"The East Jakarta district police have held coordination meetings with our church officials, and police will tightly secure the area. Everybody will be checked before they enter the church," said Ana Maria Siswoatmojo.
St Anna church was bombed last July, seriously injuring dozens of people.
The Immanuel Church in Gambir, Central Jakarta, will also rely on police, saying police have coordinated with church officials in the past few days.
"Hopefully nothing will happen this year," Leo Mailopoe, an official at Immanuel told The Jakarta Post